Why Positive Training is the Answer for your Dog
Christie Fernandez- Professional Dog Trainer
Positive training is a philosophy where dogs and other animals
are only taught using humane, force free techniques that encourage dogs to
learn, problem solve and think. There is no fear, intimidation, bullying
or domination as there is in old school punitive training methods, and as the
study proves, …Read More
How to Help Your Dog Avoid Dry, Itchy Skin in the Winter
Winter weather can dry out your dog’s skin, leaving them an itchy mess. Here’s how to provide relief.
Scratch, scratch, scratch. And so winter begins with its dry, windy, cold air outside, and the dry, hot, forced air inside, without any moisture in sight. What’s a kitty or puppy to do …Read More
Why We advocate Positive Reinforcement
If you treat fire with fire, you will get burned!
Behavior is closely linked to and influenced by emotions, so punishing a dog for unwanted behavior while not understanding why the behavior is happening or its emotional effect on the dog only serves to make things worse. Punishments such as leash …Read More
Careful- Expectations
In a great many ways, dogs have a lot in common with humans – and in probably just as many ways, they have huge differences. We do expect a lot from our pets, in some cases unreasonably and unrealistically so! Sometimes it can be hard to know where the similarities …Read More
How to Increase Your Dogs Focus & Impulse Control
How attentive is your dog? Whether you realize it or not you’re probably already the center of his universe – at least until that squirrel runs by.
When you come home I bet you’re greeted with a wagging tail, and when you get up to make dinner I bet all eyes …Read More
The Value of Rewarding Your Dog
Identifying and providing high-value rewards for good behavior is a crucial element to positive reinforcement. Often referred to as ‘reward-based’ training, the appropriate and timely delivery of a reward during training makes a dog more confident and able to manage successfully in a domestic environment. Importantly, this positive interaction between dog …Read More
Why Nosework Works
In its early years Nosework was recognized as the sport of choice for shy or reactive dogs. In many ways it was the go to sport when other sports were out of reach. Times are changing… now it’s “the thing” to start with a puppy. I myself will be choosing …Read More
Top Five Tips For Training Your Dog
Train early and practice often. Early training (at 8 weeks) trumps genetics. Be proactive and you can prevent many problems
Socialize, socialize, socialize. Socialization is the most important thing your dog will ever learn. Socialization skills with humans, other dogs and tolerance of moving objects are the most difficult challenges.
Listen to what …Read More
Aggression
Aggression in dogs is a massive issue. From dog bite prevention and public safety to the pet overpopulation problem due to over-capacity animal shelters, aggression is a leading cause of many of the major problems in the dog world.
Dogs aggress under many different circumstances from leash reactivity to territorial issues, …Read More
Making Manners Fun Series: Loose-Leash Edition
As a dog trainer, one of the most common problems I get asked for help with is getting a dog to walk without pulling on the leash. Loose-leash walking is just like any other trick we may teach our dogs. It’s about finding a way to make it fun for …Read More